Three rounds into the Pan American Championships (Dec.26-30,Washington, D.C) heavy favorites University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) and University of Maryland Baltimore Country (UMBC) are leading. In a crucial Round 4 face off between UTD B and UMBC, the first blood was drawn by UTD, with Jacek Stopa scoring against Andrew Hubbard.

Hubbard reached a balanced endgame after queens were traded on e3, but White won easily after the misguided 16...g5 pawn sacrifice.